We’re lucky, we have so many National Trust places a short drive from us, and now the weather is improving decided to get out this weekend and get some fresh air. I checked on my National Trust app to see what was open (top tip – bear in mind what date it is – I forgot so we nearly went to two places that don’t open for 2013 for a few more weeks) – and yesterday went to Morden Hall Park (which is open all year round), and Clandon Park today just outside of Guildford.

As with most National Trust places, there’s a children’s play area, plenty of grounds to walk around and a nice house you can sometimes go into – and of course the cafe serving good coffee and good cake. H was asked her age for the first time today too – you’re charged a membership fee once you’re five – but fortunately at three and a half she’s still a way off that!

The best thing I’ve found about our local National Trust places is that there’s so much to do – and with Easter on the horizon I spotted most places have an Easter Egg hunt on – last year we did the one at Claremont Park Gardens near Esher (and H was particularly happy with her egg) – so keep an eye out for more information!

Funnily enough, after thinking we’d been to Clandon Park before, on getting there nothing looked familiar – I think we must have got there as they were closing when we visited (as Hatchlands Park is just up the road with their amazing bluebell woods – head there around April-May time for some fabulous views) – so we had another great place to discover!

We may have been celebrating Mothers’ Day since the 1600s with chocolates and flowers, but this year why not give mum what she really wants – some precious family time together at a special place.

Discover somewhere new and create memories that mums won’t forget in a hurry. With a 1930s beauty parlour, strolling musicians and horse and carriage rides, show mum just how special she is on a day out with the National Trust.

Here are a few Mothers’ Day top spots for inspiration:

Basildon Park, Berkshire

Basildon Park is an impressive Georgian mansion, surrounded by glorious parkland, which was lovingly rescued from ruin by Lord and Lady Iliffe in the mid 1950s. The house you see today is a re-creation and restoration of the 18th-century mansion. They restored the elegant interior and scoured the country salvaging 18th-century architectural fixtures and fittings. Mums will love the cream teas and the nostalgia of the 1950s kitchen. For outdoor mums, enjoy the lawn games, the hazel hideout or a walk on one of the waymarked trails through the 400 acres of historic parkland.

Mothers’ Day crafts, 10 March, 11am-4pm

Visit Basildon Park this Mother’s day and let the children join in with “Pottering About’ and make their mums a special plate personalised with their handprint.

Normal admission charges apply; item charge will vary, prices start from £10.

Booking is not required for this event. For more information, please call 0118 984 3040.

Mothers’ Day tea, 10 March, 3-4:30pm

Why not also treat mu to something special this Mother’s Day by inviting her to enjoy delicious afternoon tea which includes a glass of sparkling wine, a selection of homemade sandwiches, scones with clotted cream and some of Basildon’s delicious cake.

£25 per person.

Booking is essential for this event, please call 0844 249 1895.

Blickling Estate, Norfolk

Blickling Hall is a quirky-looking building and has a sumptuous collection of Dutch gables and turrets, striking brick chimneys and huge yew hedges. Embark on a voyage of discovery and follow four centuries of history, from the Boleyn family to the RAF and Second World War. Learn what life was like as a servant and hear the voices of the people who kept Blickling in ship-shape. For outdoor mums, the gardens at Blickling look beautiful in spring. Discover the secret garden with the sundial or find the hidden pyramid, a tomb built for one of Blickling’s owners. Spot local wildlife, including woodpeckers, herons and owls and really make a day of it and hire a bike.

Mothers’ Day tea, 10 March, 3pm-4.30pm

Gather the family and come to Blickling Estate for a delicious afternoon tea served in the beautiful surroundings of Lord Lothian’s Study.

£17.95 per person.

Booking is essential for this event, please call 0844 249 1895 (booking fee applies)

Brownsea Island, Dorset

Take the ferry across to this adventure island in Poole Harbour, famous for being an unspoilt, natural haven with a colourful history. Brownsea was the perfect haunt for smugglers, who used to hide their booty of silks and spices in the castle there. From towering trees and shell shores, to the smugglers’ tales and scenes right out of Enid Blyton’s Famous Five novels, the whole family will feel like they are on quest of discovery. The island is one of the last places to have red squirrels as well as many different kinds of seabirds, which can be spotted on the lagoon from the hideaway. There are many walks, some suitable for even the youngest would-be smuggler, and the island is car free so every inch of it can be explored without mum having to worry on her special day.

Say thank you on Mothers’ Day, 10 March, 10am-4pm

Visit the events marquee and join in with children’s crafts, before heading to the Villano cafe and treating mum to a delicious cream tea.

Normal admission charges apply; there are no additional event charges.

Booking is not required for this event.

For more information, please call 01202 707744.

Make a weekend of it: Stay on the island in Agent’s House, a beautiful waterside house just 3m from the water’s edge. Sleeping six and overlooking the lagoon with stunning sea views it’s perfect for family get-togethers.

Castle Ward, Co. Down

Castle Ward demesne with its panoramic views over Strangford Lough is the National Trust’s best kept secret. With miles of walking and cycling trails, Castle Ward will take you on a journey of discovery through the 820 acre demesne.

Mother’s Day spring stroll and musical melodies, 10 March

Walks: 11am-12.15pm and 3pm-4.15pm. Music: 1pm-3.30pm

Enjoy a stroll around Castle Ward led by a knowledgeable guide through the exotic Victorian sunken garden and around this stunning demesne. Then relax in the stableyard to the sounds of Vivaldi and other classical works.

Normal admission charges to the gardens apply.

Booking is not required for this event.

Afternoon tea in Lord Bangor’s sitting room, 10 March, 2pm, 3pm and 4pm

Treat mum and friends to a delightful cream tea in Lord Bangor’s private quarters within Castle Ward mansion and then enjoy a guided tour.

Adult £9. plus normal admission charges to the grounds.

Booking is essential for this event, please call 028 4488 1204

Nostell Priory and Parkland, West Yorkshire

Nostell Priory has been the home of the Winn family for more than 300 years, making it a perfect place for a family day out on Mothers’ Day. Explore 300 acres of parkland with a range of walks, beautiful gardens, a newly planted orchard and an adventure playground to keep the kids entertained. Inside the house, see a collection of Chippendale furniture made especially for Nostell, as well as paintings by Brueghel, Hogarth and Kauffmann. The restored butler’s pantry is also now open and children can look out for the mouse in the 18th-century dolls’ house. To round off the day, visit the new stables area, with its new shop and plant sales area as well as the courtyard café for seasonal treats.

Plas Newydd, Anglesey

The stunning ivy-clad house has it all: breathtaking views stretch across the Menai Strait to Snowdonia on the mainland; the military museum contains exhibits from the battle of Waterloo in 1815, and many paintings by the world-famous Rex Whistler hang here, including his renowned largest painting. Mums will lovely the spring gardens, especially the catkin gardens, and the treehouse, newly built to remember Lady Amelia’s 1960s treehouse, will keep the children entertained. The charming tea room cooks up tasty treats.

Sizergh Castle & Garden, Cumbria

Still lived in by the Strickland family, Sizergh has many tales to tell and certainly feels lived in, with centuries-old portraits and fine furniture sitting alongside modern family photographs. Outside, explore the rock garden and then head out across the estate on a walk with fabulous views to the Lakeland fells and Morecambe Bay. For adventurous mums, try looking for geocaches on the estate or the whole family can have a go at den building in the wooded knoll.

Tyntesfield, Somerset

Lived in by four generations of the Gibbs family, this beautiful Victorian estate still has a family feel and is just a stone’s throw away from Bristol. Spiralling turrets and pinnacles adorn the roof, ornate stone carvings and church-like windows complete the Gothic look, giving the feel of a mysterious, fairytale mansion full of family treasures. Families can find the ‘discovery tables’ and handle real objects from the Tyntesfield collection or rummage through family explorer boxes and learn more about life at Tyntesfield. Outside, terraced lawns give way to spacious parkland filled with hundreds of trees collected by the family, and a beautiful walled kitchen garden beyond. Pick up a copy of the play trail leaflet and follow in the footsteps of the estate’s children – discovering the dens in the plantation wood

Music for mum, 9-10 March, 11.30am-3.30pm

Tyntesfield will be host to strolling musicians in the formal gardens for Mothering Sunday weekend. Bring the family and a picnic or just sit and enjoy the music together.

Normal admission charges to the gardens apply.

Booking is not required for this event. For more information, please call 01275 461 900.

Make a weekend of it: Stay at the heart of Tyntesfield in the former Chaplain’s House, built in the 1840s it’s crammed with original features and Victorian touches. Perfect for larger families there’s an interconnecting door between the House and the Lodge next door allowing up to eleven people to stay.

Upton House and Gardens, Warwickshire

Surrounded by internationally important art and porcelain collections, hear and discover more about family life and soak up the atmosphere of the 1930s. Pick up family activity packs and enjoy dressing up and the play spaces this Mothers’ Day.

The stunning gardens – being returned to their 1930s heyday – have a sweeping lawn that gives way to a series of terraces and herbaceous borders leading to a kitchen garden, tranquil water garden and spring bulb displays.

Don’t miss

1930s beauty parlour, 9-10 March, 1pm – 4pm

Take mum to Upton this Mother’s day, for special 1930s beauty, fashion, make-up, hair tips and demonstrations. Join the crafts table and create mum a gift she can wear on her days out to Upton.

Normal admission charges apply.

Booking is not required for this event. For more information, please call 01295 670266.

Make a weekend of it: Keep things strictly in the jazz-age at 1 Home Farm Drive, with art deco features throughout this spacious cottage is the perfect getaway for a vintage loving mum and her family, sleeps five.

Winkworth Arboretum, Surrey

Bursting with colour and life, Winkworth is perfect for a Mothers’ day walk. Spring is one of the best times to visit this beautiful hillside arboretum, with early signs of magnolias and azaleas, not to mention more than 1,000 different types of shrubs and trees. For peace and tranquillity, visit the beautiful lake and boathouse, with stunning views and lots of wildlife-spotting opportunities. After all that fresh air and exercise, treat mum to the wholesome range of home-baked food in the tea-room, including delicious cakes.

Mothering Sunday at Winkworth, 10 March, 10am-5.30pm

Visit Winkworth for Mothering Sunday and treat Mum to a delightful horse and carriage ride or a simple stroll through the arboretum and see the early spring flowers in bloom. The tea room will then be open for light lunches and afternoon teas. Normal admission charges apply; mothers get in free to the arboretum when accompanied by their children.

Please note carriage rides will be available from mid day.

Booking is not required for this event. For more information, please call 01483 208936.

Make a weekend of it: Emley Farmhouse has is a large Grade II listed building in an idyllic rural setting, perfect for those looking for a spacious getaway in a traditional house.

Are you interested in being part of the Polesden Lacey team?

If so, come up to the Volunteer Recruitment Coffee Morning at Polesden on Saturday 9 February 2013 from 10am – 12pm to find out more. We would like to talk to anyone interested in either one-off activities, or a longer term commitment, whatever your stage in life. Roles available include room guides, mobility vehicle drivers and much more.

Volunteering is a great way of gaining new skills and experience and of sharing the skills you already have. You’ll meet new people and gain new challenges – all in the beautiful setting of this 1,400 estate in the stunning Surrey Hills. Why not drop in and talk to us about ways we can work together?

Polesden Lacey is in Great Bookham near Dorking – follow the brown signs from the M25 or A246. Nearest station is Boxhill & Westhumble (2 miles).

Mrs Greville would have been so proud… Not only did the National Trust welcome more than 11,300 people into her former home over four Edwardian Christmas weekends, a welcome this inveterate hostess stipulated when she bequeathed Polesden Lacey to them, but they followed this with the creation in the grounds of a 2m high ice statue of the lady herself!

Hamilton Ice Sculptures, the first professional ice sculpting company in the UK who have worked for many famous clients including Elton John and Justin Timberlake, were invited to come to Polesden on the last weekend of 2012 to create two unique pieces in front of visitors.

“Many of our sculptures are created behind closed doors” said Jack Hackney, one of just four expert craftsmen on the Hamilton Ice Sculptor team, “so it was refreshing to be able to showcase how we work and to be able to answer questions. Working in the outdoors after all the rain we’ve had lately also presented a lot of challenges, but I was really pleased with the results.”

Andrea Selley, Polesden’s General Manager, was also very pleased “There was so much interest before the event, and Ben and Jack certainly didn’t disappoint. We moved the ice sculpting point up to the Stable Courtyard so that visitors could enjoy watching the team at work from under our canopy. The weather hasn’t been on our side, but we still wanted to allow as many people to enjoy the experience as possible.’’

Following the success of the Christmas weekends, Santa’s elves have also been busy the past few weeks replying to the nearly 1,200 letters sent to him by children whilst visiting Polesden. It was heart warming to see that the most popular presents requested were traditional favourites, the top three being: dolls, lego and remote control cars.

Polesden Lacey is one of our local National Trust places, and the one we go back to the most often – and have often eaten here. The food is SO good and delicious, although there’s often big queues! They’re also doing Christmas meals (on December weekdays) so if you’re looking for something a bit different, why not consider Polesden Lacey? (then have a brisk walk around the grounds afterwards, or do a bit of Geocaching!)

Enjoy a two course Winter Warmer lunch at Polesden weekdays during November (excl 28-30), January (excl 1 & 2) and February. Three courses for £22.50, or two courses for £19.50, but hurry places are going fast!

Their Courtyard Restaurant is celebrating after receiving accolades from not one, but two local councils.

Surrey County Council recently promoted the popular restaurant to Silver level as part of its Eat Out Eat Well scheme, which rewards those caterers who make it easier for their customers to make healthy choices when eating out. Polesden is one of only four catering establishments in the whole of Mole Valley to have reached Silver level or above.

In addition, Mole Valley District Council gave both the coffee shop and restaurant the highest possible rating for its annual hygiene inspection after turning up unannounced during a very busy half term lunchtime!

For more information and to book, please call 01372 452048 or see www.nationaltrust.org.uk/polesdenlacey

It’s less than 100 days to Christmas, you know. Santa is getting busy, but he’s stopping by a few National Trust places – we’ve been members for the last three years, and hadn’t realised Santa pops by – to help make family visits extra magical this December!

Across England, Wales and Northern Ireland, many National Trust houses and gardens will be helping Father Christmas with special locations for his grottos; from Victorian-style country homes and beautiful gardens to an ancient castle and an old style kitchen, these enchanting grottos will fill the whole family with Christmas cheer

Here are the National Trust’s best grottos to visit this Christmas:

Hatfield Forest, Essex

Father Christmas trail, 1-2, 8-9 December, 10.30am-1.30pm

A magical trail leads through the woodland wonderland to find Father Christmas in his enchanted grotto. Collect craft items along the way and make a festive picture in the classroom to remember a great day out.

£6.80 per child (including gift, craft, drink and biscuit).

Booking essential. For more information, please call 0844 249 1895.

Rufford Old Hall, Lancashire

Santa’s grotto, 24-25 November, 1-2, 15-16 December, 11am-4pm

Come and visit Father Christmas in the atmospheric setting of Lancashire’s finest Tudor building – a great way to help everyone enter into the spirit of Christmas. Santa will also be appearing at the two day Christmas fair on the 8-9 December.

£5 per child, including a gift.

Booking not needed. For more information, please call 01704 821254.

Calke Abbey, Derbyshire

Christmas at Calke, 1-2, 8-9, 15-16, 22-23 December, 11am-6.30pm

Discover Calke Abbey, the ‘unstately home’, where you can enjoy a visit to Father Christmas in his amazing grotto and take part in some children’s crafts in Squirt’s stable. As darkness falls, experience the beautiful grounds of this unique house as it is illuminated by spotlights.

Normal admission charges apply. Extra charge for trail and grotto.

Booking not needed. For more information, please call 01332 863822.

Killerton, Exeter

Father Christmas visits Killerton, 3, 8, 10, 15, 17. 22 December, 2pm-3.30pm

Father Christmas visits Killerton to get everyone in the festive spirit. Killerton’s Father Christmas is dressed in green, as he traditionally was in the Victorian era, and has a warm welcome ready for all guests.

Normal admission charges apply. £3 per child to visit grotto, including gift.

Booking not needed. For more information, please call 01392 881345.

Red House, London

Olde Father Christmas, 8-9 December, 11.30am-4.30pm 

Visitors to this quirky and intriguing home will be greeted by a Victorian Father Christmas, dressed all in traditional green. Welcoming children (and adults) of all ages, stories of old Christmas traditions will be told and gifts presented.

Normal admission charges apply. £2.50 per child to visit Father Christmas.

Booking is advisable. For more information, please call 020 8304 9878.

The Argory, Co. Armagh

Santa’s Christmas grotto, 8-9 and 15-16 December 4pm-8pm

Add some magic this Christmas at The Argory. Children can meet the elves in their workshop, whilst mum and dad enjoy some festive refreshments in the tea room. Then, take a magical journey to see Santa and Mrs Claus in their winter wonderland grotto, where each child will receive a beautiful gift.

£8 per adult and £10 per child.

Booking essential. For more information, please call 028 9024 6609.

Wallington, Northumberland

Santa at Wallington, 8-9, 15-16 and 22-23 December 10.30am-3.30pm

Santa will be making a special visit to Wallington on weekends throughout December – visit him in his cosy grotto and receive a special gift. Why not stretch your legs and enjoy a winter walk in the surrounding landscape too?

Normal admission charges apply. £8 per child for grotto, including gift.

Booking essential. For more information, please call 01670 773600.

Studland Beach, Dorset

Santa at Studland, 15-16 December, 10.30am-12pm, 1.30pm-3.30pm

Santa will be doing something different this Christmas – coming to Studland by canoe! He will be staying in his beach hut hideaway, and all children who find him will receive a present.

£5 per child.

Booking not needed. For more information, please call 01929 450500.

Kedleston Hall, Derbyshire 

Breakfast with Santa, 1-2, 8-9 December, 10am-11am

Experience an extra special Christmas breakfast with Santa in the old kitchen restaurant. Includes breakfast, a gift from Santa and a chance to see his magical reindeer.

£7.50 per adult, £10 per child (including gift).

Booking essential. For more information, please call 01332 842191.

Arlington Court and the National Trust Carriage Museum

Devon brunch or tea with Father Christmas, 15-21 December, 10.30am-12pm, 2.30pm-4.30pm

Enjoy a special brunch or tea with Father Christmas at Arlington Court this Christmas season. Join in with festive fun and games, plus all good girls and boys will receive a present.

Adult £7.50, Child £6, Family £24 (2 adults, 2 children).

Booking essential. For more information, please call 01271 850296.

Berrington Hall, Herefordshire 

Lunch with Father Christmas, 17-19 December, 12.30pm-1.30pm, 1.30pm-2.30pm

As the big day approaches bring the kids along to Berrington for a festive lunch and treat them to a visit from Father Christmas.

£10 per child, includes one child’s lunch and a gift from Father Christmas.

Booking essential. For more information, please call 01568 615721.

Enjoy Halloween with the National Trust and experience spine-chilling thrills at some of the most hauntingly atmospheric houses and castles across England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

From terrifying trails and spooky story-telling to fearsome face painting and frightening fancy dress, there’s something to give the whole family the jitters.

Here’s a spooktacular selection of Halloween events on offer with the National Trust:

Houghton Mill, Cambridgeshire
Halloween at the Mill, 27 October 5.30pm-7.30pm
Are you brave enough to visit our spooky mill after dark? Enjoy a Halloween supper of jacket spuds, bangers and beans in the tea room. Then make your own lantern to light your way around the spooky Halloween trail in the mill.
£6.50 per person. Booking is essential.
For more information, please call 01480 301494.

Flatford: Bridge Cottage, Suffolk
All Hallows’ Eve, 28 October 11am-4pm
Spooky fun at Valley Farm. Do your best to scare us with your frightening Halloween costumes and enter into our Scary fancy dress competition. Bring a pumpkin or jam jar to make your own lantern. There’ll be pumpkin soup in the tearoom – this is one ghostly day not to be missed.
Normal admission charges apply, plus £1 per child for activities. Booking not needed.
For more information, please call 01206 297201.

Speke Hall, Garden and Estate, Liverpool
Halloween, 28 and 31 October 6.30pm-10pm
Darkness descends over Speke Hall…test your nerves and face your fears in Liverpool’s premier spooky setting! Negotiate the Mayhem Maze and stumble through the Gruesome Graveyard before arriving at the House itself. If you emerge relatively unscathed, perhaps you could brave the wild woodlands, or other terrifying tests and awful ordeals.
Ghosts, ghouls, and other creatures of the night welcome you to the House interior. Crazy corridors and creaky stairways lead to abandoned rooms and forgotten doors, dare you open them?
£12 per adult and £10 per child. Booking early is essential.
For more information, please call 0151 728 5833.

Quarry Bank Mill and Styal Estate, Cheshire
Spooky Tours, 26-27 October 6.30pm-9.30pm
Join us if you dare for a ghostly and haunting trip through the Mill performed by the Academy of Live and Performing Arts North. Not suitable for children under 12yrs.
Booking essential. £7 per person. 01625 445845.
Ssspooky Halloween, 22-26 October, 12pm-4pm
Sssomethings sssslithering through the Mill… Come and make a spooky snake of your own at one of our free workshops and follow the snake trail through the Mill (50p per trail).
Normal admission charges apply. Booking not needed.
Ssspooky Science, 27 October, 12pm-4pm
Enter the Mad Professor’s lab and experiment with potions, slime and all sorts at our free workshops!
Normal admission charges apply. Booking Not Needed

Plas Newydd Country House and Gardens, Anglesey
Spooky Halloween, 31 October 11am-4pm
Come and join us for some spine tingling fun in our ‘spooky house’. Also children’s trails in the main house. We’ll be opening a special spooky house for those who dare to enter – you never know what you might see or touch. Great fun for all the family – children in Halloween outfits enter for free.
Normal admission charges apply. Booking not needed.
For more information, please call 01248 714795.

Stowe, Buckinghamshire
Hunt the haunted, 31 October 10am-4pm
Find the bats hidden in each of the Parlour Rooms at New Inn. Join us for spine-tingling scary stories at 11am and 2pm.
Normal admission charges apply. Booking not needed.
For more information, please call 01280 822850.

Chartwell, Kent
Hallowe’en Twilight Trails, 31 October and 1-2 November 4pm-7pm
Only the brave should embark on this! But beware and be careful and you will make it back for a warming Hallowe’en supper
£10.95 per person. Booking is essential.
For more information, please call 01732 861161.

Basildon Park, Berkshire
Fang-tastic Halloween, 27 October – 4 November 10am-5pm
Prepare to be spooked at Basildon Park! Lots of Jack-o-lanterns have been hidden in the garden and we need your help to find them, don’t forget to claim your reward!
Normal admission charges apply, plus £2 per trail. Booking not needed.
For more information, please call 0118 984 3040.

Hughenden Manor, Buckinghamshire
Hallowe’en witchery, 27 October – 4 November 11am-4pm
Spooky activities for all your family. Wear your creepiest costume!
Normal admission charges apply. Booking not needed.
For more information, please call 01494 755573.

Croome, Worcestershire
Activity Day – Halloween, 28 and 31 October 12pm-4pm
Have a go at our spooky activities and carve a pumpkin too! Activities include brewing potion, wand making, woodland play, potion to banish homework blues, pumpkin carving.
Normal admission charges apply, plus £3 for activities. Booking not needed.
For more information, please call 01905 370005.

Dudmaston Estate, Shropshire
Halloween Activity Day, 28 October 12pm-5pm
Take a spooky trail around the garden and have a go at the themed craft activities. Head to the tea-room for some Halloween treats, from toffee apples to bat biscuits, and end the day by going on our lantern walk through the woods, to really soak up the atmosphere.
Normal admission charges apply, plus charges for activities. Booking not needed.
For more information, please call 01746 780866.

Dudmaston Estate, Shropshire
Lantern Making Workshop, 20 and 27 October 10am-12pm
Why not learn some new skills as a family? Make willow lanterns and paint glass lanterns, then come back and join us on Sunday, 28th October at Dudmaston Hall for our Autumn Colours event where we will end the day with our spooky lantern walk through the woods. The more lanterns we’ve got the more spooks we will scare away.
£20 per lantern. Booking is essential.
For more information, please call 01746 780838.

Canons Ashby House, Northamptonshire
Halloween – if you dare! 29-31 October 5pm-7pm
As darkness falls and the house settles down for the night will you dare to enter? You’ll hear ghostly tales of the past and stories of the family who lived at Canons Ashby. Who knows, they may join in…
£15 per adult and £7.50 per child, including supper. Booking is essential.
For more information, please call 01327 861900.

Hardwick Hall, Derbyshire
Halloween Walk, 31 October 6pm-8pm
Come along and experience spooky stories and tales from Hardwick’s past. Encounter eerie characters as you explore the grounds of Hardwick Hall. Wrap up warm and bring a torch.
£5 per person. Booking not needed.
For more information, please call 01246 850430.

Hanbury Hall and Gardens, Worcestershire
Hallowe’en Family Activity Days, 30 October – 1 November 11am-4.30pm
Enjoy Halloween themed trails, activities, and face painting. Trail only also available Monday 29 October.
Normal admission charges apply. Small charge for activities. Booking not needed. 01527 821214

Baddesley Clinton, West Midlands
Family Fun Days – Halloween, 27 October – 4 November 11am-3.30pm
Enjoy our spooky outdoor trail around the grounds with activities to take home. See how many pumpkins you can spot in the house.
Normal admission charges apply. £2 per trail. Booking not needed. 01564 783294

Croft Castle and Parkland, Herefordshire
Hallowe’en Trails, 20 October – 4 November 10am-4.30pm
Take part in one of our spooky trails around the gardens, find all the clues to win a prize. In the castle keep a look out for the bats.
Normal admission charges apply, booking not needed. £2 per trail. 01568 780246

Brockhampton Estate, Herefordshire
Hallowe’en trails, 20 October – 4 November, 11am-4pm
Tis wiching season and there are spooky goings on at each of our sites in Herefordshire. Solve the clues on our Hallowe’en trail to win a prize.
Normal admission. Booking not needed. £2 per trail. 01885 482077

Lanhydrock, Cornwall
Spooky garden trail, 27-31 October 10am-5pm
Prize trail in the garden with a spooky theme.
Normal admission charges apply, plus £1.50 per trail. Booking not needed.
For more information, please call 01208 265950.

We’ve been National Trust members for two and a half years now. We’re really lucky in that we have tons of places that aren’t too far away – Morden Hall Park is reachable by bus, for example.

If we head towards Dorking we’ve got Polesden Lacey which has so much going on and loads of outdoors to walk around, as well as Box Hill, as seen on the cycling during the Olympics.

There’s loads more, but what we’ve loved the most is that you only need to visit four or five places to have made your money back – and having the freedom to visit different places and do activities is something we enjoy doing.

When we stayed in Exeter we made a visit to Killerton House for a wander around the grounds – and I know if we were to ever go to Cornwall on holiday then we’d make the most of our membership as the National Trust own a lot of the car parks there – which would save us a lot.

I’m from York and without realising I hadn’t been to our most famous National Trust place – The Treasurer’s House – that was put to rights this year when a proper visit was made, though no ghosts were to be seen unfortunately.

I love that you can visit properties – famous and not. Chartwell is the family home of Winston Churchill complete with fabulous grounds to walk around and explore.

The best thing I’ve found with having the membership is knowing we’re in a safe place – you’ve generally got grounds to walk around plus activities to do at various points in the year – just this year the National Trust have brought out the ‘50 Things To Do Before You’re 11 and 3/4‘ activities – something I hadn’t really looked at and assumed it was for older kids – yet actually a lot of the things suggested in there we have done. It’s worth a look anyway – you’d be surprised.

There’s lots of National Trust activities coming up, so stay tuned as we’ll be mentioning them a lot more!

Okay, so first off the disclaimer. I was a Brownie and a Guide and never once did I do orienteering. Maybe someone else knew something I didn’t (as I’m quite well-known within the family for taking longer detours when they’re meant to be a short cut), but having a compass and plotting things and doing whatever you do has never happened in my life. I’ve also never been a rambler (apart from in speech and writing).

So today we tried out Geocaching – as our local National Trust place Polesden Lacey does it. As we’re National Trust Members it didn’t cost us a thing, just our membership card as a deposit for the GPS receiver – which already had everything pre-programmed in. All we had to do was follow the co-ordinates on the GPS to find each Geocache, sign the logbook and move onto the next one. We were also provided with a map.

Simple, right?

Actually, bar number 1 and 3 we did find everything – at the start we had no idea what we were looking for and number 3 was impossible to find – but once we got to the second one and found a round container with a film tube inside it with a roll of paper which is in fact the logbook (I signed all ours with H’s name) it all clicked – and became fun for all of us (before then Shaun was complaining a bit that it was a bit boring). I was particularly smug when we found number 12 and were the first people to find it today – considering there’d been a good five or six people before us too. Ner!

The GPS receiver had our route pre-programmed in, and the few times I accidentally pressed that we’d completed one level it was easy enough to backtrack in the receiver and find the clue we’d missed (I even did one manually, go me and my supposed lack of navigational skills!) – oh, and I forgot to say, the man at Polesden Lacey told us “this used to be called Orienteering you know” – to which I piped up “ah, and then it got all modern with computers and stuff, right?” – I get it!

We got to walk around parts of the grounds we’d never visited before which was good – including a killer hill all the way back up towards the end of our favourite tree tunnel. H was amazing and walked most of it – though was really tired by the end. I tracked it in Endomondo and it comes in at 2.2 miles which isn’t too bad a distance.

We’re now on the lookout for more Geocaches locally – I’ve been told there’s one on Epsom Downs so that might be our next one – and the best bit? In some of the geocaches people leave a little present. If you want that little present then you substitute it with something of equal value. H decided she wanted a little toy chick, so we left a conker, but then she wanted a ladybird so we traded the chick for that – so she’s learning she can’t just take things without leaving something for the next person too which I reckon is a pretty good lesson. (it’s also a good way to find a new home when you’re overwhelmed with party bag trinkets)

 

By the time we got to the end we were close enough to the cafe/restaurant area, so treated ourselves to a nice National Trust ice cream – I reckon we earned it!

I bet I’d have been quite good at orienteering too. Hmph.

Official Geocaching Site

National Trust places with free Geocaching (deposit of some kind may be required)